Magda immediately became the face of the Alaskan War of Independence. She felt embarrassed by all the undeserved attention, but Pelagian said there was no harm in being lauded, especially when it kept their struggling nation in the eyes of the world. Her promotion to first lieutenant for her actions in the Battle of Delta gave her pride.
Bodecia thought her daughter deserved every ounce of praise that came her way. Ahead of them, Jerry stood in full uniform to the left of the dais. Rudi stood beside him wearing an impeccably tailored Russian Army uniform displaying his old Russian Command Sergeant Major rank complete with five rows of impressive decorations. She thought both men looked very handsome and striking.
They arrived at the dais and Bodecia released her daughter’s arm. Magda gave Jerry a dazzling smile. Pelagian cleared his throat.
“Family and friends, we have come together today to hear these two people pledge their troth to each other. As witnesses we sanctify and give their union recognition so they may face the future together with honor. Both Jerry and Magda have prepared their own vows.
“Jerry, tell your bride what you vow.”
Jerry turned to Rudi and took a ring that he slid onto Magda’s finger as he spoke. He stared into Magda’s face and Bodecia saw he was close to busting with emotion.
“I pledge you my love, my fidelity, my trust, my fortune, and my unending companionship from this moment forward. You are my dream come true, my future ennobled and blessed. I vow to always stay with you in heart, mind, and body through all trials, tribulations, and blessings. I love you without reservation.”
Pelagian had to clear his throat. “Magda, tell your groom what you vow.”
Bodecia carefully put the ring into her hand. Magda took Jerry’s hand and slid the ring firmly on before she spoke.
“I will always love you for the man you are, for the warrior you have become, and the protector you promise. I vow you my faithfulness, my support, my strength, and all my love. You have given my heart limitless horizons and a new world to explore by your side. I thank you for your honesty, your fidelity, and the hope that rages within me for our life together.”
“What these two people have pledged today, let no one doubt or deny.” Pelagian sounded hoarse. “Jerry, you may kiss your bride.”
Bodecia noticed that the ensuing cheer made the parachutes ripple. Then she had to wipe her tears.
General Grigorievich stood and seven other officers, some RCAF and some ARA, all in full dress uniform, also shot to their feet. The eight men had been strategically seated so that they were all an equal distance from each other. In a flash there were two rows of four standing at attention facing the newlyweds.
“Center face,” Grisha ordered. The two rows now faced each other.
“Arch sabers.” With a fluid motion all eight of them pulled sabers from their scabbards, and as they lifted turned their blades in a clockwise motion so the sharp edge presented skyward and created an arch of brilliant steel.
Jerry and Magda walked back down the aisle, their smiles nearly as bright as the honor through which they walked. As soon as they passed the last two men, Grisha said, “Carry sabers.”
All blades returned to their scabbards.
“Rear face.”
The eight men pivoted and followed the happy couple.
“They had to have practiced that a lot,” Bodecia said to Pelagian who had come up beside her.
All of the other witnesses in the hangar broke into applause.
Abruptly the parachutes rose like so many curtains to reveal long tables filled with food and drink. In the center was a three-tier wedding cake.
Jerry and Magda leisurely ambled over to the cake and waited as their guests left their chairs and surrounded them.
Bodecia took hold of Pelagian’s arm and pulled him over to where a somewhat bewildered couple stood slightly away from the others.
“Mr. and Mrs. Yamato, would you please come with us?”
Both nodded and smiled.
“I’ve never seen a wedding quite like this one,” Mrs. Yamato said.
“Me either,” Bodecia said with a chuckle. “Magda and her friends planned part of it and Jerry and his friends planned the other part.”
“Let me guess,” Mr. Yamato said. “Jerry and his pals came up with the sword part.”
Pelagian chuckled. “Actually, General Grigorievich and Colonel Buhrman planned that part. Jerry and the other pilots of the 117th designed the aircraft displays and the parachute curtains.”
“We have very talented children,” Mrs. Yamato observed.
“Yes,” Bodecia said. “We are truly blessed.”
They all watched as Jerry and Magda cut the cake with Jerry’s saber. Then the party began.
130
Four Months Later
Tanana, Provisional Capital of the Alaska Republik
“This is a test.” The sound of the microphone rose to a shrill squeal and everyone held their hands over their ears. Warm breezes wafted through the summer afternoon beneath a flawless blue sky.
“Sorry about that,” General Grigorievich said. “We’re all new at this stuff.”
The huge crowd chuckled. Tanana was jammed with people from all over the Alaska subcontinent. Official requests for space were more than triple what was actually available. One local man had made his fortune selling tents at three times what he paid for them originally and renting space on his property in which to pitch them.
“Never in the history of this planet has an event like this taken place. Much will transpire this day that will affect our lives and the lives of our children and their children. It is my incredible honor to preside over this assembly.”
Applause rose from all quarters.
General Grigorievich stood at attention until the applause died down.
“I present the elected delegates to the first Alaska Republik Congress.” He called their names as they stepped up on the stage in front of the podium.
After all twelve were called and identified, he added, “These are the first generation of lawmakers selected by the People. Honor them, and watch them carefully!”
Laughter mixed with the applause.
“Among these twelve, we must elect a First Speaker, which falls to those present.”
Grisha called out the names of all twelve legislators, but only two elicited more than moderate applause: Pelagian and Nathan Roubitaux.
Once the noise died down to conversational level, Grisha announced, “By universal acclaim, the two candidates for First Speaker are Nathan Roubitaux and Pelagian Haroldsson.”
The applause built and transcended what had gone before. Grisha wondered who was the true recipient. He saw Jerry and Magda in the crowd; they both looked radiant.
The applause finally died down.
“Who votes for Nathan Roubitaux?”
Hands shot into the air and Grisha waited while official counters made a tally. Finally one waved him on.
“Who votes for Pelagian Haroldsson?”
It seemed to him that more hands shot up than previously, but he also realized he may have seen that which he wished to see. He rubbed his face with his left hand and waited along with the crowd for the verdict.
He had known Nathan for a longer time but he had taken to Pelagian immediately upon meeting the man. Nathan always seemed to have an ulterior motive for everything that he did, whereas Pelagian seemed to do what was needed at the moment.
Up on the stage the two candidates stood next to each other, smiling and staring at the crowd.
The chief counter came over to Grisha. “General, as far as we can tell, they are within ten or twelve votes of each other. We’re going to have to do a paper ballot to make sure.”